Norma A. Lacy Swope

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Norma A. Lacy Swope, 94, of Rich Hill.,passed away Sunday. April 12, 2009 in her home. Norma was born March 3, 19l5, in Adrian, Mo., to Ray Vest and Verna Gertrude Chapman Lacy. She attended Adrian and Rich Hill schools, graduating from Rich Hill High School in 1933. She married Harland, H. Swope Feb. 1, 1937,, in Mound City, Kan. To this union, seven children were born.

Norma retired from the Mid-Continent Window and Door factory in Butler, Mo., in 1972. Norma lived with her husband on a farm southeast of Rich Hill until December 1999 before moving to town. Norma enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Rich Hill. She could feed a houseful at the drop of a hat, never knowing how many would show up for a meal until they arrived.

She loved to sing with her sisters when ever they could get together. During their younger days, they traveled around singing for political rallies and other occasions. The Lacy Sisters were well known.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years; her parents; one sister, Dorothy Swope; two brothers, George Ray, and Wilbur Lacy; two daughters, Donna Gail Shoemaker, Mary June Williams, and both of their husbands: and one granddaughter, Kelly Dawn Swope. She leaves two brothers, John Lacy and wife Kitty, Jim Lacy and wife Betty; sister Doris Basore; sister-in-law, Alberta Lacy; sons, Howard Lee Swope and wife Mary Jean, and Donald Roy Swope and wife Linda Kay; daughters, Linda Ann Tyrrell and husband Mike, Carol Jean Culver, and Nancy Laning; 19 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren and one on the way; 13 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 17, at Rich Hill First Christian Church, with Mike McKinney officiating. Music will be provided by Mr. Clay Lyons on the piano, and granddaughters Donya Bridgewater, Chantelle Mumma, Kameron Celaya, and Kanyell Spencer. Pallbearers are: David Swope, Landon Swope, John Williams, Jerry Mumma, Joe Bridgewater, Carlos Wetherinton, and Kermit Wayne Wilson. Honorary pallbearers are: Larry Bergschneider, Robert Spencer, Brad Laning, Larry Boyd, Van Celaya, Scott Isaacson, Bob Barnes, Rick Seftick, Rick Bennett, Chris Tyrrell, Sean Tyrrell, Brian Tyrell, and Tony Rega. Interment will follow at Carbon Center Cemetery, in Rich Hill, Mo.

Funeral services under the directions of the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill.